StarChild: Malaysian children draw their favourite blooms

Mabel Loo Jia Ting, nine

Flowers are beautiful and come in various shapes and sizes. Some are fragrant too, such as roses, lilies and jasmine.

Malaysia’s national flower is the hibiscus and it is dubbed the Queen of Tropical Flowers.

Flowers represent beauty and love, and are often used to mark special occasions such as weddings and celebrations. Pink roses symbolise gratitude, appreciation and admiration and deep red carnations are used to express deep love and affection.

Here’s another interesting fact – broccoli, artichoke, cauliflower and capsicum are all vegetables that are catergorised as flowers.

Did you know that orchids do not need soil to grow? They get all of their nutrients from the air.

Here’s what readers have to say on the topic, National Floral Day, which is today.

Siti Nurin Irdina Mohd Shamazam

Siti Nurin Irdina Mohd Shamazam, says: “I love sunflowers because they are bright yellow in colour. I always feel happy and energetic whenever I see sunflowers.”

Kamalesh Subramaniam, seven

Seven-year-old Kamalesh Subramaniam loves sunflowers too. “Sunflowers are special because they turn towards the sun throughout the day.”

Ng Xue An, seven

Mabel Loo Jia Ting, nine, writes: “I love many types of flowers such as sunflowers, roses and lilies. Roses are beautiful and smell so sweet. I will decorate my garden with a variety of colourful flowers.

Elaine Cheng Yee Ning, 10

Elaine Cheng Yee Ning, 10, says: “My family loves roses. We usually give roses to our loved ones on special occasions.”

Khoo Li Shan, 10

“I love nature and watching the plants grow. I water the plants for my mother every day, ” writes Naleeny Satish Kumar, six.

Naleeny Satish Kumar, six

Kirtisha Letchumanan, 10

“If I could design a floral arrangement, I would use roses. These flowers have a sweet smell and come in colours like yellow, red, pink and white, ” writes Kirtisha Letchumanan, 10. - Compiled by Sheela Chandran

Dhivya Prem Anand, 11

Darwinraj Robert, nine

ITEM: Children love waffles because they taste delicious, especially when eaten with fruits and ice cream. Waffle Day is celebrated in Denmark on March 25. People celebrate this special day by eating waffles with different types of toppings. What are some of your favourite toppings? Do you prefer them with peanut butter, fruits or honey? Or do you prefer savoury waffles with sausages and eggs?

Send us a drawing with your letter, titled All About Waffles. All letters must carry your full name, age (open to children 12 and below only), gender, e-mail, phone contact and address.

All letters must reach us by March 12. Send your letters to:

Starchild, c/o StarLifestyle,

Star Media Group Bhd,

Menara Star

15, Jalan 16/11,

46350 Petaling Jaya

Selangor.

You can also e-mail your contributions to [e-mail]. Please put “STARCHILD” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.